Chapter 23 A Ray of Hope

On Wednesday morning, Yvonne submitted her resignation letter to the HR department.

It was approved within an hour.

As Yvonne walked out of the office with a storage box in her arms, Thomas and James said goodbye with a smile, while Lily accompanied her to the underground parking lot.

After chatting for a while, Yvonne drove back to Sunshine Community.

She felt like a trapped bird finally freed from its cage after terminating her contract with the Brooks Group.

Yvonne first went to the supermarket near the community entrance to buy some groceries and daily necessities. Then she prepared a delicious lunch and took a nap.

Yvonne was rudely awakened by her phone ringing. It turned out to be Philippe.

She lazily answered with a simple "Hello."

"Yvonne, I heard you're planning to resign?" Philippe had indeed heard the news.

Yvonne responded with an "Hmm," and said, "To be precise, I left the Brooks Group three hours ago."

"Where are you planning to work next?" Philippe asked.

Yvonne didn't hide anything and replied, "I'm planning to work as a secretary at a foreign-owned company."

"You studied design. Being a secretary doesn't really match your background. My friend's interior design company is currently hiring designers, I can recommend you." Philippe was very serious, "Let me clarify, I'm only responsible for the recommendation. Whether you can get hired or not depends on your abilities."

"Which interior design company?" Yvonne thought Philippe's recommendation wouldn't be too bad.

"FA Center Company," Philippe said confidently, "It's much better than the Brooks Group, right?"

FA Center Company, a listed company in the industry for many years, had a high reputation in the domestic interior design field.

Compared to it, the Brooks Group was just a small company.

The smile on Yvonne's face disappeared in an instant. "I don't have any title or work experience. I'm afraid I won't even be able to make it past the written test for FA Center Company."

"I called you for this; why would you still participate in a written test? Just go for an interview at FA Center Company tomorrow morning at nine."

Philippe suddenly dropped a golden opportunity, but it didn't knock Yvonne out.

Near the end of the call, Yvonne asked, "Why are you helping me?"

"Yvonne, even though you are lovely, I don't have the leisure to help you," Philippe laughed. "I was entrusted by someone."

"By whom?" Yvonne asked eagerly.

"Guess for yourself." Philippe hung up and sent the interview information.

After much consideration, Yvonne decided to wait until after the interview.

Putting down her phone, Yvonne opened her wardrobe and carefully selected the white suit and black shirt gifted by Mrs. Winston.

While searching for accessories in her jewelry box, she noticed that one of her black earrings, which she had worn just yesterday, was missing.

She checked her luggage twice, but it was nowhere to be found.

Yvonne found Elijah's number and dialed it. Elijah didn't answer initially, but quickly called back.

"What's up?"

The familiar voice, with a hint of coldness, refreshed Yvonne's spirits.

"There's something." Yvonne smirked, already imagining passionate moments with Elijah. "I lost one earring, and I want to look for it in Rhode Hills."

Elijah hesitated, "I just arrived. Come over in an hour."

"Okay." Yvonne feared he would hang up hastily, so she quickly asked, "Did Philippe recommend me to 'FA Center Company'? Was it your idea?"

"I'm not that idle," Elijah replied impatiently. "We'll talk when we meet."

Listening to the busy tone on her phone, Yvonne wondered, could it really be Elijah's help?

In Rhode Hills, Yvonne met Elijah, and Joseph was also there.

After not seeing each other for a few days, the young man appeared even more handsome.

Elijah was wearing a navy blue windbreaker, and his innate elegance and aloofness made Yvonne's heart itch.

Just as she was about to approach him, Joseph grabbed her hand and pointed to the LEGO model on the coffee table, saying, "Sister, come and see. Dad and I built this McLaren race car together."

"Call me Auntie," Yvonne corrected Joseph.

Calling her sister gave her a sense of incest.

Joseph obediently called her "auntie."

Yvonne praised the little guy a few times and looked at Elijah, who was packing his suitcase. "Mr. Harper, I want to go to the bedroom and look for that earring."

"It's only been a couple of days, and you already seem distant." Elijah glanced at her with a mocking tone.

Yvonne sensed a different meaning and smiled at Elijah. "How could that be? Even if we don't see each other for years, we'll still be familiar."

A barely noticeable smile appeared on Elijah's lips. "You have a way with words that people find lovely to listen to."

After rummaging through the bedroom, which they had slept in, multiple times, Yvonne still couldn't find the earring.

Feeling a bit disappointed, Yvonne was about to leave when Joseph pulled on her clothes, insisting on playing a game of chess.

"Joseph doesn't have many people he likes. Stay and play with him for a while, and I'll treat you to dinner later," Elijah also spoke, trying to persuade her to stay.

It would be better to spend time with the two of them than to return alone.

Yvonne took off her coat. Joseph had already set up the chessboard.

They played three consecutive games.

When Joseph emerged victorious, he waved his arms in excitement and shouted "Yeah!" multiple times.

"Can't even beat a six-year-old child? You can't be this dumb." Elijah sat next to Yvonne, picked up a chess piece, and placed it on the edge of the chessboard. "Learn something."

Yvonne felt uncomfortable with the scolding, but with Joseph present, she discreetly pinched Elijah's thigh.

Frowning, Elijah glanced at her, and she squinted her eyes while smiling carefree.

"I haven't treated you to a meal yet." Elijah accidentally touched Yvonne's fingers when picking up a chess piece. "What would you like to eat tonight?"

This question caught Yvonne off guard!

Elijah was actually asking her what she wanted to eat. His tone had a hint of consideration.

"I don't eat much at night. Whatever Joseph wants to eat is fine," Yvonne replied. Joseph said he wanted steak.

"I'll arrange it right away." Elijah picked up his phone and began selecting a restaurant and making reservations.

Thirty minutes later, Elijah drove Yvonne and Joseph to the best restaurant in Winslow.

Elijah and Joseph ordered a set meal, while Yvonne only had mango juice and two appetizers.

"Thank you, Aunt Yvonne, for having dinner with me!" Joseph was very polite. He called Yvonne by her name for the first time.

"Don't mention it!" Yvonne felt a wave of pity.

Perhaps it was due to a lack of maternal love, this young boy was reserved and mature, lacking the mischievousness of an ordinary child.

Joseph didn't eat much, and after eating less than half of his steak, he went to the amusement area in the public dining area to play.

With his son away, Elijah remained calm, elegantly cutting his steak.

Yvonne had no appetite, so she held her jacket and followed over. She saw Joseph being embraced and kissed on the forehead by a tall old man.

Joseph held the old man's face and affectionately called him Grandpa.

It turned out that the one holding Joseph was Charles, Elijah's father.

This Mr. Harper was truly a celebrity in Winslow.

Decisive in business, carefree with women.

Even at this moment, there was a young and seductive woman standing next to Charles, with red clothes and black hair, like a beautiful flower.

"Let's go, Old Harper." Dahlia impatiently reached out and tugged Charles's clothes.

Charles ignored her and lovingly chatted with Joseph. "Why didn't you answer my video call yesterday? Is the piano I gave you still handy..."

Yvonne found it very interesting to see Charles, with his white hair, embracing his grandson and enjoying family time, while accompanied by a young and alluring woman by his side.

Such an impactful visual!

"Joseph, come here." Elijah had already come downstairs, his cold voice imposing without anger.

Hearing this, the little guy quickly got out of Charles's embrace and walked toward Elijah.

"Yvonne, take Joseph downstairs."

Elijah's facial features were extremely stern, and he didn't show the slightest joy of being someone's child when he saw Charles.

Yvonne held Joseph's hand and entered the elevator. The elevator doors closed, and Joseph let out a heavy sigh.

"Why are you sighing, little one!" Yvonne teased.

"Do you know why Old Harper sent us away? It's because he's going to argue with dear Old Harper again!" Joseph's tone was light and cheerful, completely different from his usual mature demeanor.

"Old Harper?" Yvonne laughed. "Is he really that old?"

"I'm six years old, and Old Harper is only twenty-seven. He's not really old, but his mental age is far from young. While dear old Harper was having fun outside, Old Harper has always been virtuous. He hasn't even had a girlfriend for all these years."

Joseph rambled on, "Aunt Yvonne, the fact that you can be in Rhode Hills, play with us, and eat with us, shows that Old Harper has special feelings for you."

Yvonne caressed his head. "Have you been watching too many romantic dramas?"

"No way!" Joseph pouted. "I have a feeling that Old Harper is about to find his lost youth."

Yvonne nearly burst out laughing.

This child grew up under Elijah's strict supervision. In front of Elijah, he displayed a maturity far beyond his peers. But now, Yvonne saw his innocence as a child.

As long as the child is happy, what's the harm in saying random things?

"Aunt Yvonne, let's exchange WhatsApp numbers. When I'm bored, I want to chat with you." Joseph took out his phone and opened WhatsApp.

"Sure!" Yvonne quickly added him as a friend and soon received a "hello" sticker from him.

"I have another good friend now! I'm so happy!" Joseph sincerely exclaimed.

"Joseph, who do you usually live with?" Yvonne asked with curiosity.

Neither Elijah nor Charles seemed capable of taking care of a child.

"I've been living with Grandma Auntie since I was born. Grandma Auntie is so good to me-" Joseph was speaking excitedly, but when he saw Elijah coming out of the elevator, he immediately fell silent in fear.

One moment, he was speaking freely; the next, he was treading on thin ice.

Yvonne glared at Elijah with dissatisfaction, noticing his terrifyingly gloomy face.

"Get in the car," Elijah said with a stern face as he opened the back door.

On the way, Elijah didn't say a word, and Joseph didn't dare to take a breath. Yvonne felt stifled and deliberately coughed a few times.

The car entered a luxurious neighborhood called Bird Hills, and Elijah took Joseph into a detached villa.

Before getting out of the car, Joseph had hinted to Yvonne multiple times to use Whatsapp for chatting in the future.

Yvonne smiled and made an "OK" gesture to him.

The father and son's receding figures left Yvonne feeling inexplicably melancholic.

It is known to all that the Harper family commands great influence in Winslow, yet they don't even have a woman to take care of the children.

Charles enjoys a lively life outside, while Elijah remains aloof from the pleasures of women. Their only grandson is unable to return home and lives as a guest elsewhere.

Yvonne thought about this and burst into laughter, opening the car window and lighting up a cigarette.

Elijah turned back, reaching over to open the car door on Yvonne's side. "Get out of the car and put out the cigarette."

"Mr. Harper, your house lacks a woman. How about considering me?" Yvonne suddenly felt inspired and reached out, hooking her arm around his waist and leaning her face closer.